Sunday, August 31, 2008

A Place Where Drag Is Good

A Red Bull Funny Car with Scott Speed’s name above the driver's side window? Don’t bet on it, but there’s always drag racing school this winter.

Scott spent a few days in Indianapolis to check out NHRA drag racing’s signature event — the U.S. Nationals. He hung out with pal and Pro Stock Motorcycle ace Matt Smith (pictured above), standing front and center at the starting line for each of Smith’s passes down the half-mile. Even more impressive was the roar of Funny Cars capable of 300 mph.

“To see the nature of that sport … it’s much more similar to Formula One,” he said. “The rules are a lot more open. You see a lot of really innovative and trick stuff in drag racing, and for me, coming from the sport that I did it’s really fascinating to see.”

He’ll miss final eliminations of the U.S Nationals, because after qualifying ends tonight, Scott’s off to the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds for Monday’s ARCA race. He carries a 110-point lead into the second and final dirt track race of the season.

From the Midwest to SoCal …

AJ Allmendinger will start a race with a clear windshield for the first time in his Sprint Cup car when he rolls off outside of pole-sitter Jimmie Johnson for 250 long laps around Auto Club Speedway. Teammate Brian Vickers starts 19th.

BTW, I cannot believe AJ and BV came out 19 and 18th on that last pit. What a rediculous night for pit stops. The 84 needs to work on keeping that car stable for the entire race. Seems like it comes out of a pit stop blazing, then fizzles after 15-20 laps. Oh well, good run by AJ, should have been better but we'll take'em when we can.

It was a good points night for AJ, but still disappointing. Not sure what was up with the Bull crews tonight. They are usually much better than that. Good job to AJ for fighting his way back up to 14th. There were several times tonight that he was the fastest car on the track. It was good to see.

We also need to realize that these guys were the crew for the race Saturday also, and cost BV the win, BV is racing his ass off and has been having wins/top 5's kissed away. If not for the wheel fallin off, we would be closer to being in the chase going to richmond, another pit error. But 13th in pts will get BV on the stage in New York and a hell of an off season to build on from 08. We all need to remember this team is only 2 yrs old, and BV has show he is a top tier driver now at the ripe ol age of 24. Like the NASCAR now crew said a few weeks ago the 83 will be in the chase in year 3. And BV didn't come out 19th he came out 4th but had a tire get away, and start at the tail end, BV passed a crap load of cars tonight, but oh well, a 12th is better than 20th or worse. keep pluggin BV and RBRT. and AJ will be resigned there are no driver out there to sign, SS is NOT ready for Cup, it will be just like AJ was last and part of this year, BV need to have 2 cars out there, B4AJ started running it was like a 1 car operation out there so no information could be shared, not BV has that as does RBTR